Blade flow pdc bits

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that includes one or more flow channels and method for fabricating such flow channels. The apparatus includes a body and one or more blades extending from one end of the body. Each blade includes a leading section, a trailing section, a face section extending from one end of the leading section to an end of the trailing section, and at least one flow channel extending from the leading edge section to the trailing edge section.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional application of and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/709,070, entitled “Blade Flow PDC Bits” and filed on Oct. 2, 2012,the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The present application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional PatentApplication No. ______, entitled “Flow Through Gauge For Drill Bit” andfiled on Sep. ______, 2013, and U.S. Non-Provisional Patent ApplicationNo.

, entitled “Machined High Angle Nozzle Sockets For Steel Body Bits” andfiled on Sep. ______, 2013, both of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to drill bits and/or other downholetools. More particularly, this invention relates to drill bits thatinclude one or more flow management channels formed within one or moreblade sections of the drill bits and/or other downhole tools.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drill bit 100 in accordance withthe prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, the drill bit 100 includes a bitbody 110 that is coupled to a shank 115 and is designed to rotate in acounter-clockwise direction 190. The shank 115 includes a threadedconnection 116 at one end 120. The threaded connection 116 couples to adrill string (not shown) or some other equipment that is coupled to thedrill string. The threaded connection 116 is shown to be positioned onthe exterior surface of the one end 120. This positioning assumes thatthe drill bit 100 is coupled to a corresponding threaded connectionlocated on the interior surface of a drill string (not shown). However,the threaded connection 116 at the one end 120 is alternativelypositioned on the interior surface of the one end 120 if thecorresponding threaded connection of the drill string (not shown) ispositioned on its exterior surface in other exemplary embodiments. Abore (not shown) is formed longitudinally through the shank 115 and thebit body 110 for communicating drilling fluid from within the drillstring to a drill bit face 111 via one or more nozzles 114 duringdrilling operations.

The bit body 110 includes a plurality of gauge sections 150 and aplurality of blades 130 extending from the drill bit face 111 of the bitbody 110 towards the threaded connection 116, where each blade 130extends to and terminates at a respective gauge section 150. The blade130 and the respective gauge section 150 are formed as a singlecomponent, but are formed separately in certain drill bits 100. Thedrill bit face 111 is positioned at one end of the bit body 110 furthestaway from the shank 115. The plurality of blades 130 form the cuttingsurface of the drill bit 100. One or more of these plurality of blades130 are either coupled to the bit body 110 or are integrally formed withthe bit body 110. The gauge sections 150 are positioned at an end of thebit body 110 adjacent the shank 115. The gauge section 150 includes oneor more gauge cutters (not shown) in certain drill bits 100. The gaugesections 150 typically define and hold the full hole diameter of thedrilled hole.

Each of the blades 130 include a blade leading edge section 132, a bladeface section 134, and a blade trailing edge section 136. The blade facesection 134 extends from a longitudinal end of the blade trailing edgesection 136 to a longitudinal end of the blade leading edge section 132.The blade leading edge section 132 faces in the direction of rotation190, while the blade trailing edge section 136 faces in the oppositedirection of rotation 190. A junk slot 122 is formed between eachconsecutive blade 130, which allows for cuttings and drilling fluid toreturn to the surface of the wellbore (not shown) once the drillingfluid is discharged from the nozzles 114. A plurality of cutters 140 arecoupled to each of the blades 130 and extend outwardly from the surfaceof the blades 130 to cut through earth formations when the drill bit 100is rotated during drilling. One type of cutter 140 used within the drillbit 100 is a PDC cutter; however other types of cutters are contemplatedas being used within the drill bit 100. The cutters 140 and portions ofthe bit body 110 deform the earth formation by scraping and/or shearingdepending upon the type of drill bit 100. Although one embodiment of thedrill bit 100 has been described, other drill bit embodiments and/orother downhole tools that include one or more blades 130, which areknown to people having ordinary skill in the art, are applicable toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

During drilling of a borehole, the drill bit 100 rotates to cut throughan earth formation to form a wellbore therein. This cutting is typicallyperformed through scraping and/or shearing action according to certaindrill bits 100, but is performed through other means based upon the typeof drill bit used. Drilling fluid (not shown) exits the drill bit 100through one or more nozzles 114 and facilitates the removal of thecuttings from the borehole wall back towards the surface. The blades 130typically are formed as solid blades which direct the fluid flow fromthe one or more nozzles 114 directly up the open face areas and up therespective junk slots 122. This solid blade design may cause entrainmentof the cuttings, heat build up within the blades, potential for cuttingsto build up upon the surfaces of the blade, and/or efficiency reductionof the blade dynamics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and aspects of the invention will bebest understood with reference to the following description of certainexemplary embodiments of the invention, when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drill bit in accordance with theprior art;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a drill bit including one or moreflow channels in a blade section of the drill bit in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the one or more flow channels in theblade section of the drill bit of FIG. 2 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a drill bit including one or moreflow channels in a blade section of the drill bit in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the one or more flow channels in theblade section of the drill bit of FIG. 4 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a drill bit including one or moreflow channels in a blade section of the drill bit in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the one or more flow channels in theblade section of the drill bit of FIG. 6 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

The drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of the invention andare therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as theinvention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to drill bits and/or other downholetools. More particularly, this invention relates to drill bits thatinclude one or more flow management channels formed within one or moreblade sections of the drill bits and/or other downhole tools. Althoughthe description provided below is related to a fixed cutter bit,exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to any downhole toolhaving one or more blade sections, such as, but not limited to, steelbody or matrix PDC bits, impregnated bits, and other fixed cutter bits.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, one or moreinlet holes are deployed on a blade leading edge section of a bladesection of a bit. Further, one or more outlet holes are deployed on oneor more of the blade trailing edge section, where one or more outletholes are fluidly coupled to at least one inlet hole from within theblade. The outlet hole and the corresponding inlet hole form a fluidchannel extending therebetween. The fluid channels are deployed to allowfluid to flow beneath a blade face section of the blade section toprovide cooling to the blade face section. These fluid channels aredeployed at an upward angle, either linearly or curve-shaped, in certainexemplary embodiments, to facilitate the movement of entrained cuttingsand drilling fluid in the uphole direction. However, in other exemplaryembodiments, one or more fluid channels are deployed in a horizontaldirection or a downward angle.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a drill bit 200 including one or moreflow channels 360 in a blade section 230 of the drill bit 200 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3shows a schematic view of the one or more flow channels 360 in the bladesection 230 of the drill bit 200 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, thedrill bit 200 is similar to drill bit 100 (FIG. 1) and includes a bitbody 210 that is coupled to a shank 215. The drill bit 200 is designedto rotate in a counter-clockwise direction 290. The shank 215 includes athreaded connection (not shown) at one end (not shown). This threadedconnection is similar to threaded connection 116 (FIG. 1). The threadedconnection couples to a drill string (not shown) or some other equipmentthat is coupled to the drill string. A bore (not shown) is formedlongitudinally through the shank and the bit body 210 for communicatingdrilling fluid from within the drill string to a drill bit face 211 viaone or more nozzles 214 during drilling operations.

The bit body 210 includes a plurality of gauge sections 250 and aplurality of blades 230, or blade sections, extending from the drill bitface 211 of the bit body 210 towards the shank 215, where each blade 230extends to and terminates at a respective gauge section 250. The blade230 and the respective gauge section 250 are formed as a singlecomponent, but are formed separately in other drill bits. The drill bitface 211 is positioned at one end of the bit body 210 furthest away fromthe shank 215. The plurality of blades 230 form the cutting surface ofthe drill bit 200. One or more of these plurality of blades 230 areeither coupled to the bit body 210 or are integrally formed with the bitbody 210. The gauge sections 250 are positioned at an end of the bitbody 210 adjacent the shank 215. The gauge section 250 includes one ormore gauge cutters (not shown) in certain exemplary embodiments of drillbits. The gauge sections 250 typically define and hold the full holediameter of the drilled hole.

Each of the blades 230, or blade sections, include a blade leading edgesection 232, a blade face section 234, and a blade trailing edge section236. The blade face section 234 extends from a longitudinal end of theblade trailing edge section 236 to a longitudinal end of the bladeleading edge section 232 and forms a front surface of the blade section230. The blade leading edge section 232 faces in the direction ofrotation 290, while the blade trailing edge section 236 faces in theopposite direction of rotation 290. A junk slot 222 is formed betweeneach consecutive blade 230, which allows for cuttings and drilling fluidto return to the surface of the wellbore (not shown) once the drillingfluid is discharged from the nozzles 214. A plurality of cutters 240 arecoupled to each of the blades 230 and extend outwardly from the surfaceof the blades 230 to cut through earth formations when the drill bit 200is rotated during drilling. One type of cutter 240 used within the drillbit 200 is a PDC cutter; however, other types of cutters arecontemplated as being used within the drill bit 200. The cutters 240 andportions of the bit body 210 deform the earth formation by scrapingand/or shearing depending upon the type of drill bit 200.

According to some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, oneor more inlet holes 270 are formed within the blade leading edge section232 and one or more outlet holes 275 are formed within the bladetrailing edge section 236. The flow channel 360 extends from an inlethole 270 to at least one corresponding outlet hole 275. Hence, thedrilling fluid and/or cuttings enter into the flow channel 360 throughthe inlet hole 270 and exits through the outlet hole 275. The fluidflowing through this flow channel 360 facilitates cooling of at leastthe blade section 230 and also reduces erosion of the blade section 230.Although the inlet holes 270 and the outlet holes 275 are illustrated asbeing round-shaped, one or more of these holes 270, 275 are shapeddifferently, for example, rectangular-shaped, crescent-shaped, oroval-shaped. In some exemplary embodiments, one inlet hole 270corresponds to and is in fluid communication with a single outlet hole275. However, in other exemplary embodiments, one inlet hole 270corresponds to and is in fluid communication with a plurality of outletholes 275. Also, in certain exemplary embodiments, one or more outletholes 275 are shaped and/or dimensioned differently than thecorresponding inlet hole 270. For example, the outlet hole 275 is sizedlarger, in perimeter or diameter, than the corresponding inlet hole 270in certain exemplary embodiments. This feature reduces plugging withinthe flow channel 360 and/or reduces the velocity of the fluid andcuttings through the flow channel 360. In certain exemplary embodiments,at least one flow channel 360 is directed in an upward angle from theinlet hole 270 to the outlet hole 275. In other exemplary embodiments,the flow channel 360 is directed substantially horizontally or in adownward direction towards the bottom of the borehole (not shown).According to some exemplary embodiments, one or more flow channels 360are formed substantially linearly from the inlet hole 270 to the outlethole 275, while in other exemplary embodiments, one or more flowchannels 360 are formed non-linearly, for example, curved-shaped. Incertain exemplary embodiments, one or more outlet holes 275 arepositioned to direct the flow of fluids and cuttings from the flowchannel 360 towards desired areas of the cutting structure. In certainexemplary embodiments, the inlet holes 270 and/or the outlet holes 275are strategically positioned relative to the fluid flow from specificnozzles 214 to better manage the overall flow through the blade sections230 of the bit 200. Further, according to certain exemplary embodiments,the flow channels 360 and/or the holes 270, 275 are treated with anappropriate anti-balling coating, or nitriding, to reduce the likelihoodof bit balling and the plugging of flow channels 360 and/or holes 270,275.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a drill bit 400 including one or moreflow channels 560 in a blade section 430 of the drill bit 400 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5shows a schematic view of the one or more flow channels 560 in the bladesection 430 of the drill bit 400 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, thedrill bit 400 is similar to drill bit 200 (FIG. 2). However, bladesection 430 is different from blade section 230 (FIG. 2) in that theshape of the inlet holes 470, the outlet holes 475, and the flowchannels 560 is different than the shape of the inlet holes 270 (FIG.2), the outlet holes 275 (FIG. 2), and flow channels 360 (FIG. 3). Eachof the blades 430, as described above with respect to drill bit 200(FIG. 2), include a blade leading edge section 432, a blade face section434, and a blade trailing edge section 436. The blade face section 434extends from a longitudinal end of the blade trailing edge section 436to a longitudinal end of the blade leading edge section 432 and forms afront surface of the blade section 430. The blade leading edge section432 faces in the direction of rotation 490 of the drill bit 400, whilethe blade trailing edge section 436 faces in the opposite direction ofrotation 490.

According to some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, oneor more inlet holes 470 are formed within the blade leading edge section432 and one or more outlet holes 475 are formed within the bladetrailing edge section 436. The flow channel 560 extends from an inlethole 470 to at least one corresponding outlet hole 475. Hence, thedrilling fluid and/or cuttings enter into the flow channel 560 throughthe inlet hole 470 and exits through the outlet hole 475. The fluidflowing through this flow channel 560 facilitates cooling of at leastthe blade section 430 and also reduces erosion of the blade section 430.Although the inlet holes 470 and the outlet holes 475 are illustrated asbeing rectangular-shaped, one or more of these holes 470, 475 are shapeddifferently, for example, round-shaped, crescent-shaped, or oval-shaped.In some exemplary embodiments, one inlet hole 470 corresponds to and isin fluid communication with a single outlet hole 475. However, in otherexemplary embodiments, one inlet hole 470 corresponds to and is in fluidcommunication with a plurality of outlet holes 475. Also, in certainexemplary embodiments, one or more outlet holes 475 is shaped and/ordimensioned differently than the corresponding inlet hole 470. Forexample, the outlet hole 475 is sized larger, in perimeter or diameter,than the corresponding inlet hole 470 in certain exemplary embodiments.This feature reduces plugging within the flow channel 560 and/or reducesthe velocity of the fluid and cuttings through the flow channel 560. Incertain exemplary embodiments, at least one flow channel 560 is directedin an upward angle from the inlet hole 470 to the outlet hole 475. Inother exemplary embodiments, the flow channel 560 is directedsubstantially horizontally or in a downward direction towards the bottomof the borehole (not shown). According to some exemplary embodiments,one or more flow channels 560 are formed substantially linearly from theinlet hole 470 to the outlet hole 475, while in other exemplaryembodiments, one or more flow channels 560 are formed non-linearly, forexample, curved-shaped. In certain exemplary embodiments, one or moreoutlet holes 475 are positioned to direct the flow of fluids andcuttings from the flow channel 560 towards desired areas of the cuttingstructure. In certain exemplary embodiments, the inlet holes 470 and/orthe outlet holes 475 are strategically positioned relative to the fluidflow from specific nozzles 414, similar to nozzle 214 (FIG. 2), tobetter manage the overall flow through the blade sections 430 of the bit400. Further, according to certain exemplary embodiments, the flowchannels 560 and/or the holes 470, 475 are treated with an appropriateanti-balling coating, or nitriding, to reduce the likelihood of bitballing and the plugging of flow channels 560 and/or holes 470, 475.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a drill bit 600 including one or moreflow channels 760 in a blade section 630 of the drill bit 600 inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7shows a schematic view of the one or more flow channels 760 in the bladesection 630 of the drill bit 600 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, thedrill bit 600 is similar to drill bit 200 (FIG. 2). However, bladesection 630 is different from blade section 230 (FIG. 2) in that theshape of the inlet holes 670, the outlet holes 675, and the flowchannels 760 is different than the shape of the inlet holes 270 (FIG.2), the outlet holes 275 (FIG. 2), and flow channels 360 (FIG. 3). Eachof the blades 630, as described above with respect to drill bit 200(FIG. 2), include a blade leading edge section 632, a blade face section634, and a blade trailing edge section 636. The blade face section 634extends from a longitudinal end of the blade trailing edge section 636to a longitudinal end of the blade leading edge section 632 and forms afront surface of the blade section 630. The blade leading edge section632 faces in the direction of rotation 690 of the drill bit 600, whilethe blade trailing edge section 636 faces in the opposite direction ofrotation 690.

According to some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, oneor more inlet holes 670 are formed within the blade leading edge section632 and one or more outlet holes 675 are formed within the bladetrailing edge section 636. The flow channel 760 extends from an inlethole 670 to at least one corresponding outlet hole 675. Hence, thedrilling fluid and/or cuttings enter into the flow channel 760 throughthe inlet hole 670 and exits through the outlet hole 675. The fluidflowing through this flow channel 760 facilitates cooling of at leastthe blade section 630 and also reduces erosion of the blade section 630.Although the inlet holes 670 and the outlet holes 675 are illustrated asbeing crescent-shaped, one or more of these holes 670, 675 are shapeddifferently, for example, round-shaped, rectangular-shaped, oroval-shaped. According to this exemplary embodiment, and which may befeatured in other exemplary embodiments, the holes 670, 675 are curvedalong arcs to better match the rotation of the bit. This feature isaccomplished, according to some exemplary embodiments, by milling theholes from the backside and would involve the previously mentionedlarger diameter on the blade trailing edge section 636 than the bladeleading edge section 632. In some exemplary embodiments, one inlet hole670 corresponds to and is in fluid communication with a single outlethole 675. However, in other exemplary embodiments, one inlet hole 670corresponds to and is in fluid communication with a plurality of outletholes 675. Also, in certain exemplary embodiments, one or more outletholes 675 are shaped and/or dimensioned differently than thecorresponding inlet hole 670. For example, the outlet hole 675 is sizedlarger, in perimeter or diameter, than the corresponding inlet hole 670in certain exemplary embodiments. This feature reduces plugging withinthe flow channel 760 and/or reduces the velocity of the fluid andcuttings through the flow channel 760. In certain exemplary embodiments,at least one flow channel 760 is directed in an upward angle from theinlet hole 670 to the outlet hole 675. In other exemplary embodiments,the flow channel 760 is directed substantially horizontally or in adownward direction towards the bottom of the borehole (not shown).According to some exemplary embodiments, one or more flow channels 760are formed substantially linearly from the inlet hole 670 to the outlethole 675, while in other exemplary embodiments, one or more flowchannels 760 are formed non-linearly, for example, curved-shaped. Incertain exemplary embodiments, one or more outlet holes 675 arepositioned to direct the flow of fluids and cuttings from the flowchannel 760 towards desired areas of the cutting structure. In certainexemplary embodiments, the inlet holes 670 and/or the outlet holes 675are strategically positioned relative to the fluid flow from specificnozzles 614, similar to nozzle 214 (FIG. 2), to better manage theoverall flow through the blade sections 630 of the bit 600. Further,according to certain exemplary embodiments, the flow channels 760 and/orthe holes 670, 675 are treated with an appropriate anti-balling coating,or nitriding, to reduce the likelihood of bit balling and the pluggingof flow channels 760 and/or holes 670, 675.

Exemplary embodiments of this invention allow for better cooling,cleaning, and flow management of the flow around the cutters and bladesof the drill bit. It allows for the guidance of fluid flow in the upholedirection to better clean the bit. It employs anti-balling technology asan exemplary embodiment to keep the holes and flow channels clean. Itdirects fluid towards the cutters of a trailing blade in a new andunique way. It improves cuttings entrainment and overall fluid dynamicsof the bit. It can be employed with traditional jet nozzles and/orlateral, or high angle, jet nozzles. It also is combinable with one ormore “Flow Through” gauge features as disclosed within U.S.Non-Provisional Patent Application No. ______, entitled “Flow ThroughGauge For Drill Bit” and filed on Sep. ______, 2013, and/or one or more“High Angle Nozzle” feature as disclosed, or similarly disclosed, withinU.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. ______, entitled “MachinedHigh Angle Nozzle Sockets For Steel Body Bits” and filed on Sep. ______,2013, both of which have previously been hereby incorporated byreference herein.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, there are a plurality ofinlet holes, and hence a plurality of flow channels, extending throughat least one blade. Further, according to certain exemplary embodiments,there are a plurality of inlet holes, and hence a plurality of flowchannels, extending through each of the blades. According to some of theexemplary embodiments, at least one outlet hole is positioned at adifferent elevation than a corresponding inlet hole when the tool isvertically oriented, such as when it is in a vertically orientedborehole. Further, according to some of the exemplary embodiments, eachof the inlet holes and each of the outlet holes are dimensioned to lessthan nine square inches. Further, according to some of the exemplaryembodiments, at least one of the inlet holes and/or at least one of theoutlet holes are dimensioned to less than nine square inches.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, these descriptions are not meant to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, aswell as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent topersons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of theinvention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theconception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readilyutilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the invention. It should also berealized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructionsdo not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims. It is therefore, contemplated that the claims willcover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A downhole tool, comprising: a body; one or moreblades extending from one end of the body towards a second end of thebody, each blade comprising: a leading edge section; a trailing edgesection; and a face section extending from a longitudinal end of theleading edge section to a longitudinal end of the trailing edge section,wherein at least one flow channel is formed in at least one blade, theat least one flow channel extending from the leading edge section to thetrailing edge section.
 2. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein theleading edge section comprises at least one inlet opening, the trailingedge section comprises at least one outlet opening, and the flow channelis formed extending from the inlet opening to at least one outletopening.
 3. The downhole tool of claim 2, wherein the flow channel isoriented at an upward angle.
 4. The downhole tool of claim 2, whereinthe at least one outlet opening is dimensioned larger than thecorresponding inlet opening.
 5. The downhole tool of claim 2, wherein atleast one inlet opening is fluidly communicable with at least twocorresponding outlet openings.
 6. The downhole tool of claim 2, whereinthe at least one flow channel comprises a plurality of flow channels, afirst flow channel being parallel to a second flow channel.
 7. Thedownhole tool of claim 2, wherein the shape of the at least one inletopening is selected from the group consisting of circular-shaped,oval-shaped, crescent-shaped, and rectangular-shaped.
 8. The downholetool of claim 7, wherein the shape of at least one outlet opening isselected from the group consisting of circular-shaped, oval-shaped,crescent-shaped, and rectangular-shaped.
 9. The downhole tool of claim8, wherein the flow channel is curve-shaped.
 10. The downhole tool ofclaim 8, wherein the flow channel is substantially linear.
 11. Thedownhole tool of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area of at leastone flow channel varies.
 12. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein theflow channel is curve-shaped.
 13. The downhole tool of claim 1, whereinthe flow channel is substantially linear.
 14. The downhole tool of claim1, wherein the cross-sectional area of at least one flow channel varies.15. The downhole tool of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of theflowpath comprises an anti-balling coating.
 16. A blade section of adownhole tool, comprising: a leading edge section; a trailing edgesection; and a face section extending from one end of the leading edgesection to one end of the trailing edge section, wherein at least oneflow channel is formed within the blade section extending from theleading edge section to the trailing edge section and beneath the facesection.
 17. The blade section of claim 16, wherein the leading edgesection comprises at least one inlet opening, the trailing edge sectioncomprises at least one outlet opening, and the flow channel is formedextending from the inlet opening to the at least one outlet opening. 18.The blade section of claim 17, wherein the flow channel is oriented atan upward angle.
 19. The blade section of claim 17, wherein the at leastone outlet opening is dimensioned larger than the corresponding inletopening.
 20. The blade section of claim 17, wherein at least one inletopening is fluidly communicable with at least two corresponding outletopenings.
 21. The blade section of claim 17, wherein the at least oneflow channel comprises a plurality of flow channels, a first flowchannel being parallel to a second flow channel.
 22. The blade sectionof claim 17, wherein the shape of the at least one inlet opening isselected from the group consisting of circular-shaped, oval-shaped,crescent-shaped, and rectangular-shaped.
 23. The blade section of claim17, wherein the shape of at least one outlet opening is selected fromthe group consisting of circular-shaped, oval-shaped, crescent-shaped,and rectangular-shaped.
 24. The blade section of claim 16, wherein theflow channel is curved.
 25. The blade section of claim 16, wherein atleast a portion of the flowpath comprises an anti-balling coating.
 26. Amethod of fabricating one or more flow channels in a downhole tool, themethod comprising: obtaining a downhole tool, comprising: a body; one ormore blades extending from one end of the body, the plurality of bladesforming a cutting surface, each blade comprising: a leading edgesection; a trailing edge section; and a face section extending from alongitudinal end of the leading edge section to a longitudinal end ofthe trailing edge section, wherein at least one flow channel is formedin at least one blade, the at least one flow channel extending from theleading edge section to the trailing edge section. forming at least oneflow channel in at least one blade, the flow channel extending from theleading edge section to the trailing edge section.
 27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein forming at least one flow channel in the bladecomprises: forming at least one inlet opening in the leading edgesection; forming at least one outlet opening in the trailing edgesection; and forming the flow channel to extend from the at least oneinlet opening to the at least one outlet opening.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the flow channel is oriented at an upward angle. 29.The method of claim 27, wherein at least one outlet opening isdimensioned larger than the corresponding inlet opening.
 30. The methodof claim 27, wherein the flow channel is curved.
 31. The method of claim27, wherein the shape of the at least one inlet opening is selected fromthe group consisting of circular-shaped, oval-shaped, crescent-shaped,and rectangular-shaped.
 32. The method of claim 27, wherein the shape ofat least one outlet opening is selected from the group consisting ofcircular-shaped, oval-shaped, crescent-shaped, and rectangular-shaped.33. The method of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the flowpathcomprises an anti-balling coating.